Obituary of Veta Magdaline Myrdal

Veta Magdaline Myrdal, formerly of Park River, ND passed away in Tacoma, WA on May 13, 2010. She was 93. Born to John and Nellie (Walker) Irmen in Bisbee, ND on August 5, 1916, Veta was the second of four children. Throughout her school years, she was a competitive athlete. She graduated from Bisbee High School in 1934, and rather than pursue the higher education she desired, she worked to help support her family and further the education of her siblings. Among her various jobs, she worked as a telephone operator in Bisbee, a laundress and waitress at the San Haven TB Sanatorium in Dunseith, ND, and a housekeeper in Minneapolis, MN. Upon leaving Minneapolis, Veta returned to Bisbee to help her parents, who took in boarders and served a daily lunch for several local school teachers. This is where she met Fred Myrdal, who taught high school agricultural sciences. Veta and Fred married on June 3, 1942, only weeks before he began his WWII military service. The couple had 3 children. After the war, the family made their home in Valley City, ND for several years, then moved to Park River, ND where they lived from 1956-1998. Fred worked as Administrator for the Farmer's Home Administration. After retirement, Fred and Veta spent their winters in Fort Lauderdale, FL, where Veta loved playing in the ocean and picking grapefruit right off the trees. In Park River, Veta may be remembered as the woman who sewed for everyone! She possessed both wisdom and a great sense of humor and was a friend and confidant to many. Veta was a woman of endless curiosity and of many creative talents. Besides being a skilled seamstress, she was a gardener, builder, artist, musician, baker and cook, hostess, and homemaker. She was a devout Catholic, walking to daily mass most of her life. She was an active member of St. Mary's Church. From an early age, Veta loved reading, playing bridge, walking and bike riding. She was fascinated by learning, travel and adventure. She was always willing to help those around her, volunteering as a caregiver where ever she saw the need. She will be remembered by her children and grandchildren as the best Mother and Grandma anyone could ask for. Veta is preceded in death by her parents, by her husband, Fred, in 1998, and also by her siblings Elizabeth Ward, Billy Irmen, and Ruth Preston. She is survived by her children, Dr. Sigrid Myrdal of Portland, OR, John (Linda) Myrdal of Anoka, MN, and Susan Myrdal (Randy Myers) of Tacoma, WA, as well as 7 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Veta was cremated, and a celebration of her life is being planned for this summer, 2010, in Park River, ND. Interment will be near her husband at the Pioneer Church Cemetery in Gardar, ND.